The AFA’s General Bernard A. Schriever Los Angeles Chapter 147 honored SMC’s past and future at the event, recognizing the center’s outstanding achievers as well as General Schriever’s contributions to the nation’s defense.

General Schriever is the architect of America’s space and missile program. He is also recognized for defining and institutionalizing the acquisition process by demonstrating the interrelationship between technology, strategy and politics.

General Schriever was laid to rest June 20, 2005.

Center members literally walked with a legend out here in Los Angeles, said General Lance W. Lord, Air Force Space Command commander. He said that in these times of change there is no one better than General Schriever to look to and to model our future upon.

“We’re going to take that framework that General Schriever gave us, and we’re going to work hard to be the model for DoD [Department of Defense] acquisitions by 1 January 2006, and we’re going to take care of our people in the process,” said General Lord.

Fourteen awards, many of which are named after significant contributors and founders of the space program, were presented to SMC personnel. According to David Murphy, Schriever Chapter president and emcee of the event, approximately 150 nominations were submitted.

“We have a special night like this once a year to honor all the folks at SMC and L.A. Air Force Base who do great work, helping to improve the space systems of our country,” said Mr. Murphy. “I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to make tonight possible.”

Approximately 400 people, including the Under Secretary of the Air Force Peter Teets, attended the formal event.

It was a special night for one award winner in particular, as both his father and grandmother were in attendance. First lieutenant Paul Hendrickson, 526th Acquisitions Group, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, received the Outstanding Company Grade Officer Award with under four years.

“I’m very flattered and honored to be chosen over other CGOs in SMC who are doing equally great work,” said Lieutenant Hendrickson. “I’m fortunate that I could share this night with my family.”

625th Strategic Operations Squadron Activated at Offutt AFBJun. 14, 2007By 55th Wing Public AffairsIn a ceremony held today in the shadow of the Minuteman I Intercontinental Ballistic Missile outside USSTRATCOM Headquarters, Major General Thomas Deppe, commander Twentieth Air Force and STRATCOM Task Force 214 activated the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron. The 625th is a tenant unit on Offutt AFB and reports directly to 20 AF, located at Frances E. Warren AFB in Wyoming.

US Responds to Putin's Call for Meeting on Forces in EuropeMay 29, 2007By Al Pessin, VOA WashingtonA Pentagon spokesman says the United States would be "disappointed" if Russia stopped meeting its obligations under the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty. The comment came the day after Russia called for a meeting of the treaty's signatory nations next month. VOA's Al Pessin reports from the Pentagon.